Five years have passed since late rapper Iron (real name Jeong Heon-cheol) died.
Iron was found bleeding in a flower bed of an APT. in Jung-gu, Seoul, at about 10:25 a.m. on Jan. 25, 2021. He was taken to a hospital after a security guard reported it, but was ultimately declared dead. Police found no signs of homicide or a suicide note, and he was 29.
Iron appeared on Mnet's rapper survival program 'Show Me the Money 3,' which aired in 2014, and finished as the runner-up, drawing public attention. He quickly secured a hip-hop fan base with his distinctive rap style and unique visuals, and officially debuted with the single "blu" in March 2015. He later seemed to cement his position as a musician with the 2016 full-length album "ROCK BOTTOM."
However, separate from his musical activities, he became the center of controversy as he was embroiled in various scandals. In 2016 Iron was investigated by police on suspicion of marijuana use and was handed over to prosecutors and booked without detention. After a relatively short hiatus he released a new song and was criticized by the public.
In 2017 he was indicted on charges of assaulting his girlfriend, a person surnamed A. Iron was accused of striking A's face and threatening her by injuring her thigh with a weapon, and after an appeal he was sentenced in Nov. 2018 to eight months in prison with a two-year suspension and 80 hours of community service.
In 2021 Iron wrote on his social media, "Over the long four years I looked back on my life a lot. At the end of feelings that were painful, unfair, angry and sad, there was ultimately myself," and added, "I realized that many things I considered 'cool' were my clumsy definitions that do not apply to society." He also announced a comeback as a singer, drawing interest.
But in Dec. of the same year he was arrested on charges of repeatedly beating a 18-year-old aspiring singer roommate, a person surnamed B, who was taking music lessons at his home, with a baseball bat, drawing controversy again. Iron explained it was "a form of discipline," but public criticism was fierce.
While under investigation for aggravated assault, Iron suddenly died. With his death the case was closed for lack of prosecutorial jurisdiction.
[Photo] Photo joint coverage team
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